Sitting in Sunday school I almost cringe every time that
Peter would raise his hand. He never said anything that was wrong, offense or
even inappropriate, but it was the way that he would talk. His voice would
immediately increase in pitch as he would talk. It would become very soft and
airy, and the content would always turn to some mission story. I have nothing
against return missionaries or having them impart of their wisdom, but the way
that they go about it make them seem like they are the most holy person in the
room. It seems almost degrading just to be in their presence and hear them
speak. I don’t want to have to strain to hear them speak, and then I don’t even
want to participate in the lesson anymore because I don’t have anything that
can top them. Church over for me as soon as he starts talking because he is always
going to have the final word, so there is no point in even trying. His
intentions aren't bad, but it seems more like he have something to prove. Missions
change people’s hearts, minds, and souls, but why does it change the voices so
many missionaries as well?
Without every fast Sunday Brother Falcone would slowly make
his way to stand with his hunched back, slicked back hair and black pin-striped
suit. It was inevitable that he would give a monologue about his Italian
heritage and growing up in the slums on the east coast. The story seemed to be
the same every week with very little variation. He would talk very slowly
without looking out at the congregation, but instead he would stare at the base
of the microphone while fiddling with the actual mic with one hand. The mic
would making popping and scratching noises has his wingers would continue to
connect with the mics surface and he would speak very softly, almost a whisper
for a very long time. Then he would slowly make his way back to his seat. No
one ever complained, but no one was ever really surprised by his reoccurring appearance
each month. I don’t ever remember seeing him on any other Sundays, but without
a doubt he would be there on fast Sundays. I always thought it was cool that we
had a mafia member straight out of movie in my ward. He was so cool that
everyone was afraid to tell to go sit down because he would be talking for too
long. I was living life on the edge somehow through Brother Falcone making his
appearances in church.
I think it's funny how most wards have "a usual" in their ward for testimony meetings. I know mine did.
ReplyDeleteI like his heritage too, it's really interesting.
I hadn't really thought about it before, but is so true that a quieter voice is sometimes associated with sharing very spiritual experiences. I especially liked the last sentence of that paragraph and how it questions this unspoken association.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a good point that there is a very distinct missionary cadence. It is a few soft, passion-filled words then a long pause. Insert few more words. Some how sentences turn into rainbows. They just arch. Every returned missionary has a regular voice and their missionary cadence. I sometimes like to giggle and point out when the cadence turns on.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in a very small town and an even smaller ward of 30 regularly attending members, I can relate to this character. My ward in northern Wisconsin is filled with the character of that old mafia member. It's these characters that give church character.
ReplyDeleteMissionary talk is very real and very terrifying. Is this what we sounded like on the mission? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteHaha the missionary talk is so real. Sometimes people have it so bad they start to talk with a sorta half smile and speak out of one side of their mouth..anyone know what I am talking about??
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